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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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PRICE, TEN CENTS. 



FARM LIBRARY. 



VOL. I. No. 5. MAR. I, 1882. 




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USCIOUS 






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H^ruits. 



How to grow Strawberries, Raspberries, Black= 
berries, Grapes, Currants and Gooseberries, 
in abundance and economically, 
on a small scale.. ♦ 

JUN ^1882 

By O. B. CALUSHA, Sec'y, m. State Hartj^uTtuH&<f Sc>fcij^y^ 



ENTERED AT THE CHICAGO POST OFFICE AS SECOND-CLASS MATTEFw 



PUEJUSHED PY t. H, UWi, CHICAGO, 



CoPYniGnT, 18S2, r.Y E. H. Lirbv. 



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Farm Library. 

Vol. I. No. 5, 

Luscious Fruits. 



UOCATION AND PREPARATION OF SOIU 




UDICIOUSLY planted, one-fourth an acre, well 
cared for, is sufficient to produce a supply for a 
family of eight persons. This fourth acre should 
be selected if possible where the surface is a 
little inclined— not much matter how little — to 
allow surplus water from rains and melting 
snows to pass off. Inasmuch as cultivation as much as pos- 
sible should be done with a horse, it is obvious that the 
garden should be oblong so that the rows will be long 
enough to admit of profitable horse-culture. 

Let then the garden be laid out ten rods by four rods, 
making the longer way north and south, if possible, so as to 
admit the sun's warmth on both sides the rows, which, of 
course, should extend the longer way of the ground. If the 
plan herein described is to be departed from let the leading 
features of long rows and horse-culture, remain; for these are 
essential to economy. 

It is not always possible to choose a soil best adapted to 
growing small fruits, for one must take such as he has in 



2 LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 

near proximity to the residence. Any good soil will make a 
good berry-patch ; and if not convenient to underdrain it 
with tile, which is very desirable wherever the subsoil is 
tenacious clay, surface-drainage and deep cultivation will be 
good substitutes. 

Having selected the ground, it should be well manured, 
with six two-horse loads of well-rotted manure to the fourth 
acre, if in good condition previously, or eight loads if impov- 
erished, naturally thin or quite sandy. This should be 
thoroughly pulverized when spread, and well incorporated 
with the soil by two or three deep plowings and harrowings, 
which will also tend to fit the soil in the best manner. One 
precaution is absolutely necessary to success, viz.: never 
plow the ground when saturated ; it is better to plant late 
in a warm, mellow, friable soil, than early in one plowed 
when too wet, as, if wet when prepared, it will bake when 
drouth ensues, and starve the plants. I always use a roller 
or clod-crusher after each plowing, when fitting ground for 
plants, as success depends more than on any other point 
(except cultivation), on having the ground mellow and 
finely pulverized to a depth of about eight inches. To one 
accustomed to raise garden crops, it is superfluous to add 
that the seeds and roots of white clover and June grass 
must never enter the berry patch. Either one of these 
species will soon ruin a strawberry bed ; for if once they ob- 
tain a foothold, it is very difficult to eradicate them, the 
only sure way being to take up plants and roots of grass 
together, being careful that all the grass-roots are removed. 

Having the ground thus fitted, as early in Spring as it is 
in best condition to work, smooth the surface so that the 
mark of a cord can be readily traced upon it, and proceed 
to lay it out and plant about as follows : stretch a cord 
wherever a row is to be planted, walk upon it the length of 
the plat and remove it. The first row should be for grapes, 
which can be trained to the fence, and may be set but one 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 



foot from it, and the same may be done on the other side 
of the plat, thus economizing room. I would plant about 
as follows, the width being four rods, or sixty-six feet : 

grapes (from fence) i feet. 

red Raspberries (from grapes) 5 

black Raspberries __ 6 

Charles Downing strawberries — 

first row (from black caps) 5 

second row (from first) ^% 

Miner strawberries. 33^ 

Cumberland Triumph strawberries 31^ 
Kentucky " " 3^ 

Longfellow '' " 31^ 

Yz gooseberries, yi red raspberries. 6 

currants 5 

blackberries (seven feet each) 14 

grapes ._. _ 51^ 

Space from grapes to fence i 

This uses the four rods, or sixty-six feet. 



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PURCHASING PLANT3. 




UCCESS in fruit growing depends so largely upon 
planting the best varieties, pure and true to name, 
that I can not forbear giving a few words of ad- 
vice to those who are about to purchase plants. 
While it is true, that the varieties named in the 
lists in this pamphlet, may not be the very best for 
every locality, and while it is probable that some of these 
will give place to better ones in the near future for all 
localities, yet it is of the highest importance that the planter 
turn a deaf ear to each and every stranger, or person with- 
out an established reputation, who claims to have something 
better. There are nurserymen in nearly every county, ot 



4 LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 

established reputation; but if none are near, then send your 
order to such wherever they are, receiving plants by express. 
Probably at least half the failures to make fruit growing 
profitable, either when for family use or for market pur- 
poses, may be traced directly to planting varieties not 
adapted to the soil or climate, or, if nominally of the right 
kinds, planting mixed or spurious plants; and nine-tenths 
of these cases are the result of listening to so-called agents 
whose voluble tongues abound in mis-representations, 
scarcely equaled by their extravagant pictures and bottled 
" specimens" — the latter "gotten up to order,*' and nafned^ 
from time to time, as circumstances require. Deliver yourself, 
dear reader, from all smooth-tongued peddlers; trust not the 
words of any stranger. Those who carry genuine certificates 
from growers of plants, who are known to you as men of in- 
tegrity, 7uho themselves vouch by certificates for the rectitude of 
every word and act of their agent, are, of course, excep- 
tions to the rule ; but these exceptions are rare. 



yarie;ti^s. 




ARIETIES are a matterof individual taste,and no 
one can select a list of fruits which will best 
suit the palates of every member of his house- 
hold ; neither can he plant the species of fruits 
in such proportions as all would agree upon — 
for one prefers red raspberries to black, or cur- 
rants to gooseberries, and vice versa ; and so 
with other fruits. I will therefore, in mentioning varieties, 
give only the leading characteristics of those recommended, 
assuring the reader that the strawberries already named, are 
such as are most generally commended as good, and most 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 5 

profitable, by persons who have tested very many sorts ; 
that all have self-fertilizing or perfect blossoms ; are prolific 
bearers, and well adapted to withstand the rigors of Winter, 
and heat of Summer, as well as to flourish in a variety of 
soils and situations, giving a continued succession and sup- 
ply of fruit from the time the earliest strawberries ripen un- 
til blackberries are gone ; embracing, in the latitude of 
Chicago, about sixty- five days — from June ist to August 5th ; 
when the coarser fruits — apples, peaches, plums, etc., will 
supply the table until grapes begin to ripen ; when these 
will add nearly four weeks more to the time in which the 
garden plat supplies the table, or at least 85 days in all. 

Strawberries Recommended. 

• 

The Charles Downing is a large, bright, conical berry, of 
sprightly sub-acid flavor, ripening early after the first one or 
two years ; will remain on the vines for a day or two after 
coloring without damage, or is good if picked when only 
half colored. This variety has the longest season of any 
variety in common cultivation, beginning as early as any 
on well established vines, and holding out as long as any 
on this list, except Kentucky, and the berries are of good 
size to the very latest. It is always reliable for a good crop, 
from the first year onward. 

Miner (or Miner's Great Prolific) is a strong, vigorous 
plant, and an abundant bearer, on all soils ; of quite large 
berries, of rather dark color, and of excellent flavor ; begin- 
ning to ripen a little later than Downing — a universal 
favorite. 

Cumberland Triumph is one of the most hardy and ro- 
bust of all the strawberry plants, bearing a fair crop of uni- 
formly large berries, many measuring two and a half to 
three inches in circumference ; round, of a delicate, attract- 
ive color, and a pleasant, not very rich, flavor. 

Kentucky is a tall, strong grower, with fruit stems which 



6 LUSCIOUS FBUITS. 

hold its large, bright, conical fruit well up out of the dirt. 
The berries are beautiful, of light weight, excellent, rather 
sweet flavor, ripening late, and continuing till Turner rasp- 
berries have well begun yielding fruit. Very small berries 
are rare among Kentuckys, while those measuring three 
inches around are not uncommon. This plant is especially 
adapted to sandy soil, and planters having such soil may 
well put two rows of Kentuckys, leaving out one row either 
of Miner or Longfellow ; while those having a rich prairie 
soil may leave it out altogether, and substitute Sharpless, 
a rampant grower, producing fairly well of bright, sweetish 
berries, some of which are of immense size. This is also a 
late ripening sort. 

Longfellow, though but a few years in cultivation, has* 
won its way to universal favor by its good growing and bear- 
ing habits, and its very attractive, large, longish, pointed 
berries, looking as though touched with the varnish brush, 
and which, when eaten, leave no wish for any thing better. 

Grapes. 

It is more difficult to recommend a list of grapes than 
any other species of fruit, as the " name (of varieties) is 
legion,*' and a hundred are good. One row should be — 

Concord, as the best vine for endurance and productive- 
ness, fully tested. This is the large purple grape of the mar- 
kets, and needs no description. For the other row, north 
of latitude 41^°, I would plant half with Martha, an 
amber-colored variety, very productive. The vine is as 
hardy as Concord. The other half may well be planted 
with Worden — like Concord, but a little earlier and sweeter. 

South of latitude 41^°, a long list of grapes is recom- 
mended by every grape-grower, and no two lists are alike. 
A selection from Rodger's hybrids will give satisfaction. 

Massasoit is very early, "red," or amber color; both 
clusters and berries very large; flavor sweet and sprightly. 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 7 

Agawam, another of these hybrids, is deservedly popu- 
lar, on account of the vigor, hardiness, and productive- 
ness of the vine, the size of its clusters of fruit, and its 
large, luscious berries. 

Merrimac, still another, has same characteristics of vine; 
fruit black, with a rich flavor. The second row may be 
planted to two of the above sorts. 

For latitude south of 405^^, Salem will ripen well, and 

prove in every way satisfactory. -It is well to learn which 

of the many desirable varieties are profitably grown near by, 

and plant such. 

Raspberries. 

Among the Red Raspberries, Turner is the best for 
family use. The canes are hardy and quite productive ; the 
berries ripen as early as any, and are sweet, with little of the 
peculiar "red-raspberry" flavor, which is disliked by many. 
The Cuthbert (or Queen-of-the-Market, as it is sometimes 
called) is a later sort, with hardy canes, large berries, and 
an abundance of them. Reliance is still more productive, 
equally hardy, and the berries still larger— the largest red 
raspberry I have ever grown — but, though of sprightly fla- 
vor, is not as rich as the preceding. I will name for the 
row, half Turner and half Cuthbert ; and if one-half the 
gooseberry- row only is wanted for that fruit, I would plant 
the other half with Reliance raspberries. This is a late 
variety, extending a little into the blackberry season. 

Currants. 

Of currants I will recommend Red Dutch for one-half 
the row ; Cherry (or Versailles) one-fourth, and White Grape 
one-fourth. Red Dutch is the common large red currant of 
our markets ; Cherry is later and larger in size ; White Grape 
is large, white, long in bunch and not as acid as the reds. 

Gooseberries. 
The most valuable sort is Houghton's seedling, and I 



8 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 



can hardly recommend any other for the family. All the 
larger, coarser sorts mildew and drop their fruit badly. 
Downing, though larger in berry, is not always productive. 

Blackberries. 
South of latitude 40° the Kittatinny is hardy and desir- 
able, being very prolific and the fruit large and of good 
quality. Lawton is also grown with good success. Either 
or both these may fill the row; though, for myself, even here 
I would plant a few Snyders to give fruit in case of possi- 
ble damage in Winter to the canes of the others. From 
latitude 40 to 42° the Snyder will prove more satisfactory 
than any other sort, as the canes are hardy and immensely 
productive, and the berries of fair size, and, when ripe, 
melting and luscious. 




PUANTIN&. 



OMMON sense is the best instructor and 
guide. You notice that the crowns, buds, 
of the strawberries naturally grow at the 
surface — neither above nor buried below, 
therefore set out the plants so that when 
the ground is leveled and settled, the 
crowns will be scarcely hidden below 
the surface ; for if planted much deeper they would 
perish by rot in a long spell of wet weather; or if protruding 
entirely above the surface, would wither and dry out in the 
heat and drouth of Summer. You notice also that the 
crowns of the rooted tips of your black-cap raspberries, also 
are found near the surface, therefore do not violate the laws 
of nature by burying them three or four inches below. On 
the other hand, you quickly see, by the bleached bases of 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 9 

the red raspberry and blackberry canes, that their roots are 
formed from three to five inches below the soil, therefore 
shallow planting would be likely to prove fatal to them. 
Set them so that their horizontal roots will be about three 
inches below the surface, a little less than their average 
original depth if they are sucker plants. In planting straw- 
berries, be careful to keep them damp and fresh constantly 
till they are planted. This is most easily done by putting 
them into a pail partly filled with water, taking out one at a 
time as wanted. Open slits, narrow holes in the soil about 
a foot apart along the lines and follow at once with the 
planting, spreading out the roots and pressing the soil firmly 
against them their entire length. A spade is a good imple- 
ment for this purpose, though a gardener's trowel or even a 
''paddle," such as is used for cleaning plows of dirt, will an- 
swer very well. 

It is well to clip off nearly all the leaves from straw- 
berry plants before, or immediately after planting— no mat- 
ter if but one good leaf is left— as there will be less danger 
of the plants dying, in a dry air and hot sun. 

In planting red raspberries and blackberries, the canes 
should be clipped down so that only one or two buds are 
left, and the growth from these must be stopped as soon as 
any shoots appear, coming from the roots. It is quite as 
well to plant these in autumn, if the ground is in good 
order, covering them well over winter with mulch, which 
must be removed early in the spring. Such plants usually 
make better growth than those planted in spring. Currants 
and gooseberries should have but one to three stalks left at 
planting, according to the strength of the roots. 

It is not necessary to water plants when set out in a 
damp soil, though in planting strawberries it is well to 
leave a little hollow about the plant when first set and fill it 
with water sufficient to saturate the soil as deep as the roots 
extend, filling the excavation with surface earth as soon as 



lo LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 

the water has disappeared. In my own practice, I always 
use a very weak liquid manure for this purpose, made, usu- 
ally, by putting a shovelful each of ashes and droppings of 
the hen-roost in a barrel full of water, and allowing it to 
stand a day before use. Plant currants three feet and 
gooseberries four feet apart in the rows! In planting any 
species of plant or tree, it is necessary that all the crevices 
amo7tg the roots be filled with fine earthy even if it takes the 
fingers of the planter to do it, while he is on his knees at 
the work ; and this should be followed by closely press- 
ing the earth upon and among the roots. 

The rows of plants in our plat should be but nine rods 
long, leaving fully eight feet at each end for turning space 
when cultivating. 

Distances apart to plant. — Plant grapes seven feet apart, 
twenty-two plants to the row ; 

Red Raspberries, three feet apart, 50 per row ; 

Black Raspberries, three feet apart, 50 per row 

Strawberries, one foot, 150 per row; 

Currants and Gooseberries, three feet apart, 50 per row; 

Blackberries, three feet apart, 50 per row. 

The borders along the end fences should receive an ex- 
tra amount of manure, and be forked or spaded deeply and 
finely. Here may be grown, at one end asparagus and at 
the other rhubarb, sufficient for the family.* Set one or two- 
years'-old roots of asparagus, about one foot from the fence, 
at the north end, and about a foot apart in the row, cover- 
ing the crowns from two to three inches deep. The variety 
called Conover's Colossal, is as good as any ; in fact, more 
depends upon manure than upon variety, in raising fine as- 

* These vegetables, though apparently out of place in a fruit-garden, 
can be grown there at a mere nominal cost, and as these borders are well 
adapted to them, and as they require a permanent place, they belong 
here rather than in the plat devoted to other vegetables, which is plowed 
and renewed every year. 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. ii 

paragus. Across the south end of the plat, plant roots, or 
*'buds" of Linnaeus rhubarb (the best sort), planting about 
two feet from the fence, and about three feet apart in the 
row, setting the buds two to three inches below the surface. 
The pieplant will thrive well in the partial shade given by 
the fence, while the asparagus will start early in the Spring 
upon the warm, sunny side of the north fence, and will as- 
tonish its owner and his family by the numbers and size 
and tenderness of its delicious shoots. Do not hesitate to 
plant these through tear that they will be tramped by the 
horse, for his feet will seldom come as near the fence as the 
roots of the plants, and the few stems he may chance to 
knock off will be just as good for the table as though broken 
off by hand. 

As soon as the planting is completed, if not done before, 
the plat should be inclosed with a picket fence, if fowls are 
allowed to range. If good material is not procurable, an 
effective temporary fence may be made by using common 
laths, nailed on three or four-inch strips, and these nailed 
or wired to strong stakes driven in the ground. Such a 
fence, if taken up in the fall and kept under shelter through 
the winter, will last several years. 



CUUTIVATION. 




ITH cultivation, as with planting, good judg- 
ment will serve well in place of definite 
instructions, with every intelligent person 
accustomed to the care of ordinary farm and 
garden crops. Study the habits and needs 
of the plants, and act upon knowledge thus 
gained. In the berry-garden, two tools for use with horse 
are necessary. One is a small share-plow, the share to be 



12 LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 

kept sharp, for running between the rows of raspberries and 
blackberries, to cut off the suckers or young plants as they 
spring up between the rows. These are as easily destroyed 
as the tenderest weeds, if taken soon after they show them- 
selves and while yet tender. To effect this, it will be nec- 
essary to run this plow through these rows about once in 
ten days during the growing season. But as this will take 
only about a half hour at each plowing, the work is a mere 
trifle. The red raspberry and blackberry plants should be 
allowed to occupy a space about two feet wide, and all 
plants appearing outside this limit should be mercilessly 
destroyed, like weeds, with the plow. The other implement 
is a narrow shovel-plow, either a single or a double shovel- 
plow will do, but the blades should be narrow, so as not to 
throw much dirt upon the strawberry plants which are plowed 
with it. 

The strawberries should be allowed one and a half, and 
not exceeding two feet in width of strip. The grapes, cur- 
rants and gooseberries can, of course, be cultivated with 
either one of the implements, as may be convenient. Dur- 
ing the first summer, the strawberry rows should receive 
frequent cultivations with plow and hoe, or garden-rake, 
killing the young weeds as fast as they show themselves, 
keeping the ground in fine tilth, and directing the runners 
along the rows within the prescribed limits. Late in the 
season, if the rows are pretty well supplied with plants, the 
runners should be treated like intruders, and destroyed. 

I have found no tool as useful in destroying very young 
weeds — and they should be destroyed as soon as they can 
be seen — as a steel-toothed garden-rake. When the sun 
shines hot, one or two hasty scarifyings of the surface will 
leave it as clean as the freshly-shaved face of a man. Any 
one who has not used this tool for this purpose, will be sur- 
prised at the rapidity and effectiveness of the work. Of 
course, the surface must not be allowed to become baked. 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 13 

Of cultivation of other plants the first season it is not 
necessary to speak, as the frequent stirring of the soil and 
destruction of weeds required in the cornfield is all that is 
necessary, except a little pruning of the black raspberry and 
blackberry canes. These should be shortened by snipping 
off the tips with the thumb-nail or knife when about two 
and a half feet long. Cut or rub off all young canes from the 
grape vines but one, as fast as they appear, leaving the 
strongest one which starts near the ground, to grow, and tie 
this up occasionally, but not pruning it. No stems of aspar- 
agus or rhubarb should be taken off during the first year. 

In late Autumn or early Winter, as soon as a little crust has 
frozen over the surface, the strawberry beds should be cov- 
ered with some convenient loose material containing no seeds 
of weeds or grass. Oat straw, slough hay, corn-stalks, leaves 
or litter from the horse stable, where only prairie hay is fed, 
are suitable. The mulch should nearly hide the foliage — 
not thick enough to smother the plants. The raspberry, 
currant, gooseberry, asparagus and rhubarb rows should 
also receive a dressing of manure (having mowed and re- 
mowed the asparagus), placing the litter well in among the 
canes of raspberries. In late Fall cut back the canes of the 
grapes to within two or three feet of the ground, lay them 
down and cover with earth one or two inches deep. 



14 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 



CUUTIYATION AFT^R FIRST Y^AR, 




N the Spring as soon as the ground is dry enough 
to pulverize nicely, cultivate with the horse-im- 
plements all the spaces, letting the tongue-plow 
run pretty deep in the center between the rows 
of strawberries, level the surface with rake or 
one-horse harrow or diamond-toothed cultivator, 
open the mulch from the strawberries, leaving it along the 
edges of the rows to keep the fruit from the ground and 
prevent dirt from spattering over them during rains. Now, 
let the strawberry rows rest till after the fruit is gathered, 
but frequently plow the other plants till their berries begin 
to ripen, then suspend work on them till the berry season is 
over. Immediately after the strawberries are gathered the 
mulch may be temporarily laid back on the center of the 
rows of vines or entirely removed, and the tongue-plow run 
deeply in the center of the space between the rows, then 
the small share-plow used to turn a back-furrow into the 
track of the shovel-plow cutting the row of plants down to 
ten inches or a foot in width, and the ridges leveled with 
cultivator or rake. The coarser portions of the mulch may 
be placed in the centers of the spaces or altogether re- 
moved and piled up for use again. The runners will soon 
occupy the bed thus prepared for them with plants which 
should again be kept in the limits allotted to the strips. 
Weeds which start up among the plants may be pulled out 
and the spaces kept in good condition with plow and hoe or 
rake through the season. This course may be repeated with 
the strawberries year after year. There will be no 
necessity of entirely renewing the plantation, as by narrow- 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 15 

ing the rows as much as possible without rooting up their 
centers they will renew themselves substantially, without 
the trouble of re-planting. Mr. Hatheway, of Ottawa, 111., 
one of the most successful strawberry growers, renews his 
plants entirely by plowing so as to leave the narrow strip 
alternately on either side — as in the even years on the east 
side the fruiting row and in the odd years on the west side. 
This renews every year and is a plan well worth practicing 
upon. Thin out the weaker canes among the red rasp- 
berries, leaving the stronger ones eight or ten inches apart 
along the rows, which may be continuously kept two feet 
wide. Clip off the ends of the canes of the previous years* 
growth to three-and-a-half feet high. It is not advisable to 
clip the young canes of red raspberries ; but black-caps 
should be clipped while growing to about three feet, clip- 
ping but once. 

Blackberry canes should be stopped when they reach a 
height of three feet, and again after they have extended 
their growth ; at the second clipping shorten the side 
branches to about one foot of the canes, and clip the ex- 
tended canes to about six or eight inches above the previ- 
ous clipping. Of course this second clipping is not abso-^ 
lutely necessary, but it will pay largely for the time spent in 
larger, better fruit, and usually in quantity also. 

The canes which have borne fruit — both of raspberries 
and blackberries — may be cut out at any time ; but this work 
is usually deferred till Winter, as there is more leisure time 
then. If the planter decides to have two rows of blackber- 
ries — dispensing with two rows of the strawberries to make 
room for them — the space between the two rows may be 
covered early in the second year with mulch which when 
settled will be six or eight inches in depth. Although this 
involves considerable labor, yet it is a profitable investment 
as it saves cultivation — ^keeping down all weeds— and keeps 
the ground damp during dry weather in Summer, thus insur- 



1 6 LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 

ing the crop against damage by drouth. Old stack-bottoms, 
straw, coarse horse-stable litter or any other material at 
hand except that containing foul seeds may be used for 
this. This mulching may be renewed once in two or three 
years as needed, and is all the cultivation required for 
blackberries except an annual light sprinkling of manure 
along the rows among the plants. Red raspberries may be 
treated in the same way where several rows are planted, 
though cultivation is better. 

Where fruit only (not plants) is the object the black 
raspberry canes should receive a second clipping of the tips 
late in Summer, to prevent them from taking root. 

Give the black-caps, currants and gooseberries annual 
dressings of manure ; currants, especially, pay large divi- 
dends for fertilizers. Thin the stools of currants and goose- 
berries to three or four stems each, cutting out the oldest 
and leaving only strong one-and-two-years-olds. 

The blackberries send out long, rambling roots, which 
are liable to throw up shoots even across the spaces in 
the adjacent rows ; hence I have placed them between 
the grapes and currants in the plat, so that suckers (young 
canes) may be more readily destroyed than when among 
the gooseberries or strawberries. These young estrays, 
both of red raspberries and blackberries, must be destroyed as 
fast as they show themselves, and then the ramblers will 
become discouraged and give up the chase; but, if not kept 
in check they will soon become "masters of the situation," 
and hard task-masters too. 

Grape Cultivation. 

There has been so much nonsense written about the 
cultivation of Grapes that most people believe a special 
education or indoctrinating, is necessary to successfully 
grow them; whereas no species of fruit will pay a lazy or 
heedless man so well for neglect or abuse as a vine of one 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 17 

of our most hardy sorts of grapes. Give a Concord, or one 
of Rodgers* hardy vines a good foot-hold in a good soil 
and a chance to hold its head up out of the weeds and 
grass and it will shame any sluggard by loading itself with 
good fruit; but, trim the vines, "dig about them and dung 
them," sprinkling a little lime over the soil, if convenient^ 
and they will show that they appreciate the labor of willing 
hands, and will produce such great clusters of large, deli- 
cious berries, as will please the eye, gratify the palate, cheer 
the heart and bring health and strength of body to all 
partakers. No fruit can be produced so cheaply, according 
to its real value as food. 

Cut out at their bases all shoots, except two to each 
plant, leaving those which start out nearest the surface of the 
ground, and tie these to the fence, one in each direction. 
Late in autumn cut out the old wood near where the canes 
started, also shorten the two canes about half their length, and 
shorten the side branches to within three buds of the cane. 
The length of the cane is not essential, as if long enough to 
lap by those of the next vine, they can be tied, the next 
spring, above or below, so as to give room for fruiting; cut 
the canes loose from the fence, letting them drop upon the 
ground, holding them down with little sticks stuck in the 
ground, and cover them with two or three inches of dirt. 

In the spring, as soon as danger from hard frosts is 
over, uncover and tie them up ; when the fruit is forming 
it is well to stop the extending growth by pinching off, leav- 
ing one or two leaves only beyond the third cluster. They 
will then give larger clusters than if not stopped. 

If fowls run at large the grape vines must be trained be- 
low the top of the picket fence, else they will alight upon the 
vines and so pass into the inclosure. If, however, it is de- 
sired to train the vines to top of the fence, a small wire or 
strong twine may be stretched three inches higher, which 
will effectually turn the fowls back when they fly against it. 



1 8 LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 

It will be seen that no space has been left for a roadway 
through the plat. There is no need for one, as the manure 
and mulch may be thrown over the fence at each end and 
distributed by use of the wheelbarrow, or a horse may be 
attached to a stone-boat, which will easily pass between the 
rows. I have found this latter method convenient and ex- 
peditious 



TH^ RE:suuta 




Cost of Plat for Eight Years. 

IGHT years, this plantation should last (though 
the fence should last twelve years). We will, 
therefore, estimate the entire cost for eight 
years, and the value of the crop for seven 
years. 

Manuring first Spring.__..---- $3 oo 

Fitting ground- „ -.- i 50 

Forty-four Grape plants at five cents 2 20 

Seventy-five Red Raspberry plants at two cents i 50 

One thousand Strawberry plants, 4 00 

Thirty-five Goosebenies — i 50 

Fifty Currants at five cents — 2 50 

One hundred Blackberries 3 o^ 

Sixty-seven Asparagus roots — - i 50 

Thirty-five Rhubarb roots, five cents i 75 

Planting, four days — 5 00 

Fencing, with durable fence - 35 00 

Total outlay first year $62 45 

Of course the crop of the second year will not come up 
to an average, except that of strawberries, but the estimates 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS 19 

will be low enough to allow for only one-third to one-half 
crop for this year. 

Labor (excepting picking the fruit) eight years at $12 per year.. $ 96 00 
Manure seven years, at $5 per year 35 00 

Total cost (rejecting fractions) for eight years $193 00 

Value of the Products. 
In estimating the amounts of fruits we will, for safety 
and to allow for casualties, place the products below the gen- 
eral average, and also the value of the fruits somewhat be- 
low the average value of such fruits on the vines and canes, 
ripened and ready for picking. As a general rule the house- 
wife and children, if there are any, will esteem it a pleasur- 
able pastime to pick the berries. ^ 

Grapes, 300 lbs. at 3c per lb. _. % g 00 

Red raspberries, 60 qts. atSc. _ 4 80 

Black raspberries, 30 qts. at 6c i 80 

Strawberries, 400 qts. at 6c _ _ 24 00 

Currants, 20 qts. Coff sterns^ at 7c _ i 40 

Gooseberries, 20 qts. 2c 40 

Blackberries, 200 qts. at 6c 12 00 

Pieplant _ 3 00 

Asparagus _ 4 00 

Value of annual crop (rejecting fractions) 6000 

Total value of seven crops __ $42000 

Deducting cost ($193.00) leaves a net profit of : 227 00 

What other branch of agriculture will yield a net profit 
of sixty per cent. } Is it not, then, cheaper for landowners 
to raise the fruit for their families than to buy? The time 
and trouble of purchasing is nearly or quite equal to that of 
picking the fruit. Another fact should be always consid- 
ered : the far greater excellence of freshly-gathered, well- 
ripened fruits over those found in the markets, which are 
seldom fresh, frequently only half ripened, and not infre- 
quently stale and unwholesome, producing acidity in the 
stomach rather than promoting healthy digestion.* 

*I trust the reader will excuse the writer for repeating and empha- 
sizing this point ; for though the money value of such a crop as described 
is far greater than the cost, yet this consideration sinks into insignifi- 



20 LUSCIOUS FBUITS. 



VlStPiStS AND INSE:CTS. 




UT little need be said of the diseases or of the 
insects preying upon the plants of the family 
fruit-garden ; for ordinarily Nature will furnish 
her own remedies for the latter in a short time, 
in the form of predaceous beetles and parasitic 
insects, or in the recurrence of seasons, which, 
by the extremes of wet or dry, cold or heat, their numbers 
will be decimated if they are not entirely swept away. It 
is not always policy, however, to wait for dame Nature to do 
this work, as she is sometimes tardy in coming to the 
rescue. A brood of chickens, but more especially of young 
ducks allowed the " liberty of the yard," with their hen- 
mother cooped in the garden, will destroy immense numbers 
of strawberry worms and raspberry worms — the larvae of 
saw-flies — besides various other insects which infest the roots 
or foliage of plants. It is well to let fowls have free access 
to the plat in spring, until the strawberries are nearly 
grown, after which time until the last grapes are gathered 
they should be carefully excluded. 

If the orange rust appears upon any canes of blackber- 
ries or black raspberries, these should be at once dug up and 
burned. It will be readily known by its bright color. 

cance when compared with that of the health of the bodies, and the con- 
tent and enjoyment, of the greater attractions of home and its surround- 
ings, which such a garden and the free use of its fruits brings to its in- 
mates. It doubtless seems strange that one whose principal business is 
to raise such fruits to sell in the markets should advocate and urge this 
point; yet a long experience, with close observation, has convinced him 
of the truth of these statements ; and truth, coupled with a desire to in- 
crease the sum of human happiness, is a far higher consideration to him 
than the acquisition of money. And he trusts the time will soon come 
when the fruits adapted to growth in any locality will only be sold to 
those who are so situated that they can not raise them for themselves. 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 21 



HOW TO use; fruits, 




OUBTLESS it has occurred to the reader that the 
amounts of some of the species of fruits named 
are too great — more fruit being mentioned than 
a family will use. Well, the writer must admit 
that the quantity of most kinds mentioned is 
greater than an average family of eight persons 
who buy their fruit consume, but, allow him to say to such 
that you do not know how much fruit your family would 
consume to their own advantage, that of the purse of the 
**lord of the manor" and not that of the doctor, were an 
abundance always at hand. For instance it is the custom 
of the writer during the grape season to go out early each 
morning and bring in an ordinary market basket full of 
grapes for free use as dessert, and for any member of the 
family to eat when inclined. 

The basket is always empty the next morning, and, in 
fact, it is no unusual sight to see it on the arm of one of the 
female inmates of the household, toward evening, on its way 
to, or returning from the vineyard ; and such a discovery is 
a pleasant one. 

During the entire range of the berry season, freshly 
gathered fruit should be upon the table at each meal in 
abundance anii without the addition of sugar, allowing each 
member of the family to prepare it to suit his or her taste. 
And then the delicious berry short-cakes, that the skillful 
housewife knows so well how to prepare, are sure to make 
a part of each dinner or supper; the puddings, thick with 
luscious fruits; and the pies, plump with berries and devoid 
of swine's fat in their pastry, are fit to tempt the appetite of 
the epicure, without doing violence to his stomach. 



22 LUSCIOUS FRUITS 

The Cannifig of fruits has become so common, and is so 
well understood that, in a treatise like this, it would be su- 
perfluous to describe it. Let it suffice to urge the liberal 
preservation of fruits in this way, so that their use, during 
the entire time when they can not be placed fresh upon the 
table, may be as free as the use of flour or potatoes. 

Drying Fruits. — Increased attention is given, year after 
year, to this cheap and easy mode of preparing fruits for 
future use. The former custom of drying in the sun, or 
open air, is giving way to the much more expeditious and 
better practice of drying rapidly by artificial heat. This re- 
form in the mode can not be too highly commended. 

By the slow method of drying by exposure to the open 
air, the fruit loses much of its characteristic aroma, to say 
nothing of its acquiring an objectionable flavor from the de- 
posits of numerous insects which are sure to swarm upon 
it ; and, besides, oxygenation takes place upon its surface 
from such exposure, and this is nothing more nor less than 
decay, the beginning of the rotting process, which is only 
arrested by the evaporation of the juices for water contained 
in the fruit). This damaged condition of the fruit is more 
readily seen in the white-fleshed fruits, as apples and pears. 
The discoloration produced by exposure to the air in dry- 
ing, is the beginning of decay, and, consequently, such fruit 
is not altogether wholesome. A single test, by tasting such 
fruit and the same variety dried quickly by artificial heat, 
as in the Alden process, will convince any one of the great 
advantages of the latter, quicker mode. The first flavor de- 
tected in tasting the ordinary dried apples of the market, is 
that of rotten apples. To prove this, alternate the test 
with a very small portion of rotted apples, and the similar- 
ity (or rather identity) will at once be detected. 

For drying, small quantities of berries, the oven or heat- 
ing-chamber of an ordinary cooking-stove or range, answers 
a good purpose. Any contrivance by which a current of air 



LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 23 

heated, from 100° to 160° Fahr.,will accom«plish the purpose, 
the object being to introduce the fruit, as soon as possible, 
into an atmosphere of about 160°, which will suddenly- 
close the exposed pores of the surface by evaporation, and 
thus prevent the oxygenating or rotting. Fruit thus treated 
is much richer, and more nearly resembles the fresh fruit of 
the same species than that dried in the old way. The prac- 
tice in the family of the writer is, almost invariably, to dry 
on ordinary drying or shallow baking-tins, and to give a 
sprinkling of sugar over the fruit when first put in the dry- 
ing-chamber. Fruit dried, or rather reduced to a pasty 
state, similar to that of the tamarinds of the markets, is 
often if not generally preferred to canned fruit of the same 
variety. Again, the quantities of jams, jellies, marmalades, 
catsups, and spiced fruits of the various kinds which the 
provident housewife will prepare and store away — and which 
will be devoured, too, by the time the year has rolled round 
— will furnish a profitable home market for no inconsidera- 
ble portion of the crop. 

There is another use for fruits, mention of which ought 
not to be omitted here. The only real tise of anything in 
this world is to add to the sum of human happiness; and, this 
being so, what can be more gratifying than to be able to 
allow the children of a poor neighbor to come and pick a 
few berries to carry home as a rare treat for themselves and 
their parents .-* And more than this, what pleasure it gives 
to send a dish of fresh, appetizing strawberries, blackberries 
or grapes to the chamber of the sick. Truly, in all such 
acts the receiver is made happy, yet the giver is still more 
blest; for "it is more blessed to give than to receive." 



24 LUSCIOUS FRUITS. 



A F^W WORDS APOUT CWtRR\tS, 




HERRY trees have no place in a berry 
patch, yet the fruit is classed as one of the 
small fruits, and its uses are so similar, that 
a few woids relative to it, are in place here. 
A few trees of early Richmond cherry, 
planted near the house, usually pay a larg- 
er dividend on the money and labor in- 
vested, than any other tree whatever. If ta 
^ be planted where a few sprouts from the 

roots are not objectionable, trees on morello stocks should 
be selected, as they bear very young often in the nursery 
rows, and always bear full crops. Sprouts may be kept in 
check by cutting just above the surface, about twice a year^ 
and are usually, when thus treated, but little troublesome. 

Trees on mahaleb stocks grow faster while young, make 
larger trees, do not sprout from the roots, and the fruit is of 
good size, and in every way equal to this variety on morello 
stocks ; but the trees do not begin to bear until four years 
after transplanting, while those on morello stocks begin in 
two or three. A half dozen trees should be planted so as 
to make provision for the birds and have a good supply for 
the family besides. These cherry trees, and also the fruit, 
are almost entirely exempt from diseases and depredations 
of insects — "our friends the birds," being almost the sole 
depredators, and they are only " taking toll for the songs " 
they give us. The fruit is so easily prepared for use with 
the little cherry-pitter, and adapted to so many uses in the 
family, that wherever there is room for fruit trees about the 
house, they should be planted to the number mentioned, at 
least. No species of small fruit is more generally relished 
when canned than the cherry ; and, certainly, there is no 
species of fruit which, when dried to a pasty state, as des- 
cribed, retains so much of its original flavor. It is often 
preferred to canned fruit. 

THE END. 



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FR!!^8c^ SHRUBS, ROSES. 1882; 



Besides the larg'f^^t and mcist rom k-te pcne'-al 
Stock of Fruit and (1niame>nt;il Tvocs, Bosep. rtc-., 
in the U.S., we offer many Clioice Novelties. 
New Abrid'red Catalog-ne mailed free to all who 
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This Fruit Farm and nursery contains a variety of soils — from light sand to heavy, 
rich loam ; and the ruling motto is, "prove all things, especially new plants, on different 
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Plants of the Choicest Xew and Old Varieties of Berries, thus proved and grown 
liere, will be put up in the best manner and warranted to i-each purchasers in good 
condition, whether sent by mail or express. 

Correspondence solicited from those only who want good plants at a fair price. 
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No. 1. 

Flowers in Winter. 

How to have beautiful flowers in the 
house ; from one pot of geranium to the 
ccnservatorj'. By Euen E. Rexford. 

No. 2. 

The Flower Garden. 

How to have f owers in Summer. An- 
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By Eben E. Rexford. 
No. 3 

The Flower Garl-en. 

Herbaceous Plants, Shrubs. Vines and 
Native (JrnameHtal Plants. 

By Eben E., Rexford. 
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The Vegetable Garden. 

A guide to any one who would grow 
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Luscious Fruits. 

How to grow Strawberries, Blackberries 
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B. Galusha. 

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The a I Poultry Book. 
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Artificial Hatching, Rearing 
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Fat- 



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Small Fruiis for Market. 

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Corn. 

Most profitable systems of Corn grow- 
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Wheat. 

The most wheat and the most dollars. 
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The Sorghum Cane. 

How to make sugar and syrup in the 
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Bread Destroyers. 

Chinch Btig, Hessian Fly, Wheat 
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Enemies to Flowers. 
In Hot/se and Garden, How to destroy 
Lice. Mealy Bugs and Scale., Red Spi- 
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Caubage and other Insects 

By Prof. C) rus Thomas. 

Apple Insects. 
How to fight the destroyers of this 
great fruit crop. By a distinguished En- 
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Foes to Fruits. 
How to combat the insect foes of or- 
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Flax. 
Its culture for fibre in America, at 
greatly increased profits. 



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